South Burlington's Sara Garvey to be honored at track meet

The Rebel senior had a battle with leukemia, which is now in remission

May 4, 2012

Though a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia has ended her high school track and field career, Sara Garvey, 18, will serve as the starter for today’s Burlington Invitational, giving her a chance to play a part with the South Burlington team she’s help become a state power. / EMILY McMANAMY, Free Press

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Just two days after the indoor track and field state championships in February, South Burlington High School senior Sara Garvey had trouble walking.

The standout sprinter and jumper who helped the Rebels to a second straight indoor crown felt extreme pain in both legs. Initially, Garvey and her parents thought the aching could be attributed to a possible injury suffered at the meet.

But blood tests revealed something far worse: Garvey had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a white-blood cell cancer that affects approximately 4,000 new people each year.

One of the state’s top track athletes one day; fighting for her life the next.

“First of all, we couldn’t believe the results came back that fast,” said John Garvey, Sara’s father. “Second of all, we couldn’t believe she was diagnosed with leukemia.”

After five weeks the cancer went into remission — “I have high hopes it won’t return,” Garvey said — but rounds of chemotherapy are scheduled until the end of September. That means her final spring track season is wiped away, leaving her unable to compete with the team she’s helped build into a powerhouse the last four years.

The SBHS coaching staff decided to do something about that — cut out a memorable moment from the 2012 season. Garvey will be the honorary starter at today’s Burlington Invitational, firing the gun for the girls 4-by-800-meter relay at 1:30 p.m. to kick off the 40th edition of Vermont’s premier regular-season meet.

“I know Sara is missing the team and the team is missing her, and I know how important track and field is to her,” South Burlington girls coach Dennis Akey said. “So she at least gets on the track and be a part of the meet. It’s all you can really ask for at this point.”

A member of last year’s state-record 4x100 squad that won the New England championship, Garvey and her teammates — led by Mollie Gribbin — have turned South Burlington from an also-ran to a state champion. In addition to their two indoor crowns, the Rebel girls are the reigning outdoor champions. In her favorite event, the 100, Garvey has a personal best of 12.44 seconds, one of Vermont’ fastest recorded times.

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“In the future, when I’m talking about what we’ve had over the last four years here, Sara is one of the first names listed for sure,” Akey said, “and will always be one of the first listed when it comes to people who have radically changed South Burlington track and field.”

Garvey was humbled by the invitation to the meet that she dominated last year; she claimed a double win in the 100 meters and long jump.

“I was just excited to go out and watch my teammates,” said Garvey, who has attended a couple of meets and practices this spring. “But to go out there and start the first race — that’s exciting, too.”

“She had a big impact on the meet last year and it would have been a shame had she not been there this year,” Hagan said. “Track and field in Vermont is one giant family and we are eager to use our role to honor (Garvey).”

Others have also felt moved to reach out. A group of classmates are raising awareness and funds to benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in honor of Garvey. The “Sara-thoners”, as they have dubbed themselves, will run a relay at the Vermont City Marathon this month. Prior to that, a 5-kilometer walk, run and bike race is planned for May 19.

“Her friends have been very supportive. This community is unbelievable,” John Garvey said.

Once Sara Garvey has her strength back, she plans to start running again. After a year off, Garvey will start college — she’s looking at Stony Brook and Ithaca — and plans to continue her track career.

“To think of the times she was running and the distances she was jumping last year, it’s crazy to think about what she’s going to be doing once she gets to college,” Akey said. “I have all the confidence in the world she’s going to bounce back from this.”